Blast from the Past

Posted on Tue Oct 28th, 2025 @ 11:48pm by Captain Erik Norsgaard & Lieutenant Daegan Baas & Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox

2,591 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Wolf in the Fold: Hide and Seek
Location: Various

After a lengthy conversation with Admiral Scofield followed by an even lengthier briefing, Erik, orders in hand, materialized on the transporter platform of the USS Thunderbird. His gear, currently huddled near a cargo transporter somewhere, would follow shortly. At the moment, he had the unpleasant duty of assuming command of the vessel. Not an easy thing to do. As the beams cleared, his blue-gray gaze took in the transporter room and settled on a surprisingly familiar face. "Baas," he said as he stepped down off the transporter pad and crossed the room in a few quick strides, "long time no see."

Greeting his former CO, shaking his hand. "That it has. Wish it was under better circumstances but it's still good to see you again." Looking to the operator, Baas added, "see that the Captain's personal effects are sent to his quarters."

"Well Captain, where to first?"

"Belay that," Erick said to the technician on duty. "That can wait until after I've spoken with Captain Gray." He returned his attention back to Daegan as he added, "Ready Room. And on the way, you can catch me up with what's going on in your life."

With a gesture he led off and together they walked toward the turbolift. "Well, after the Sitting Bull, I was assigned to the Excalibur. Unfortunately before I got there, the ship got parked at Star Base 234 for repairs. Most of her crew had transferred or was on leave and being the new man on deck, I got to babysit the ship while the repairs were made. But then the Klingon Civil War blew up and I'm sure you know how that panned out."

"I do," Erick said, "and the aftermath, where disgruntled Klingons were running around trying to recruit mercenary armies and the like." He stepped aside to allow a pair of crewmen, completely oblivious to the officers in the corridor, pass by, whispering to themselves, and grinned at Daegan. "Not often I get missed in a crowd."

Grinning, "Hehe...well you're a Captain. Where as I'm just a lowly, but still dead sexy, Lieutenant." Chuckling, "But I think it's the guitar playing that really pushes it over the top."

"Glad to see your ego's in tact," Erik answered. The tubolift door opened as they approached and he stepped inside. "Bridge," he said and then turned back toward Daegan. "So, tell me what you think of your Captain ..."

Deagan chuckled at the first then thought a bit. "Well from the time I've spent with him no issues at all. When I first came onboard I have a good meal with him, he let me throw a luau for the senior staff. Let's me run my department, is open to ideas, but on our second assignment we ran into that AI and he almost dies from the same virus that took our XO."

"I knew the Commander," Erik said, "though from what I understand, she was new on board? Replacing your previous XO?"

"Yes, sir. She had even proposed getting a band together and doing a performance now and then. Unfortunately that never got off the ground. As to replacing the previous XO, not really my place to go into that."

"That will be addressed before the hand off," Erik said. The turbolift came to a halt and, before Erik stepped out onto the Bridge, he added, "along with your captain's evaluations of his senior staff." He grinned cheerfully. "Be interesting to hear what he has to say about you."

Returning the grin, "Well if it's anything but outstanding you'll know he's got me mixed up with someone else."

Erik snorted his disbelief, "all scuttlebutt to the contrary. As I recall, you had a tendency to get into trouble. Act first, think sometime the next day sort of thing."

Daegan chuckled. His first reaction was to be surprisedly shocked before continuing. "Me? I'm a department head now so I can't pull as many pranks as I used to. Although..."

Erik's Viking ancestry rose in his eyes for the briefest of moments as he regarded Daegan. "Now see," he said, his smile slow and steady, "you're just proving my point about acting first ..." His gaze flicked toward the Ready Room door. "This is difficult enough. Don't want to keep the Captain waiting."

"Well sir that was in the past. You'll be happy to know I've passed many opportunities for various pranks...some that could have been very good too." Pressing the chime, "But ya gotta grow up some time."

"So they say," Erik said. He heard the call to enter and entered; as he did so, the casual, relaxed attitude disappeared and became immediately more formal. "Captain Erik Norsgaard reporting by order of Admiral Scofield. Captain, I assume you know why I'm here?"

"Yes, I do," Rylan said as he rose from his seat and circled the desk to shake Norsgaard's hand. "Welcome aboard the USS Thunderbird."

Daegan watched the exchange taking advantage of the pause to excuse himself. Looking to Captain Grey, "Will there be anything else Captain?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact," Rylan answered. "Lieutenant, if you could find Commander Knox and accompany him back to the Ready Room? You can both stand witness."

Nodding, "Aye Sir." Stepping back onto the bridge he went over to the Commander to fill him in. "Commander, Captain Grey wants us both in the Ready Room as witnesses."

Lieutenant Commander Knox gave a nod of acknowledgement and a quick tug of his uniform. There was no telling whether this was a good summoning or a bad one. Either way, Knox wanted to look as proper as he could. "Thank you, Lieutenant," he said to Baas as he followed the man.

[Meanwhile, In the Ready Room]

Rylan and Erik moved over to the seating area with Erik taking the single seat while Rylan gave the ship's new captain his perspective on the crew and especially, Commander Knox. Both professionals, the conversation went smoothly, neither holding back on their opinions, and in the short time they spoke, Rylan grew to accept the man as a (possibly) suitable replacement.

Harrison Knox continued to follow Baas to the Ready Room until their presence was acknowledged, and with permission, Knox entered. When he did he found Rylan was not alone. "Captain Norsgaard," Knox said looking at the man and stiffening his posture a bit. "Captain Gray. You requested to see me?"

"Yes, Commander," Rylan said. "You and Lieutenant Baas can serve as witnesses." He picked up the PADD from his desk, his hands trembling slightly, and read in clear voice. "TO Captain Rylan Gray, commanding officer, USS Thunderbird, stardate 46434.5. You are hereby requested and required to relinquish command of your vessel to Captain Erik Norsgaard, formerly commanding officer of the USS Sitting Bull, as of this date. Signed Admiral Phineas Scofield." He set the PADD down on the desk and continued, ""Computer, transfer all command codes to Captain Erik Norsgaard. Voice authorization: Romeo Tango 3-5-5-1 Alpha."

"Transfer complete," the computer responded. "The USS Thunderbird is now under command of Captain Erik Norsgaard."

Norsgaard stepped forward, a full five inches taller than the ship's former commanding officer, and offered his hand. ""I relieve you, Sir."

Rylan accepted the handshake, smiling faintly, as he replied, "I stand relieved." And, as though it were part of the ceremony, the two men switched positions, with Norsgaard behind the desk and Rylan now on the other side, for the first time since coming aboard. "Good luck, Captain, and now, if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave."

Norsgaard waited, giving Rylan Gray as much time as he needed to leave the Ready Room. When the door closed, Norsgaard turned his attention to his new Chief Yeoman. "Trusk, I'll need you to set up appointments for me with the Senior Staff. Nothing urgent, we can schedule it over the next few days. With the exception of Lieutenant Baas here, we've served together before."

Daegan smiled a bit at the acknowledgement. He had a feeling he was going to be getting all sorts of questions about their new CO.

Trusk was uncertain if that was to Baas's benefit or not. Nevertheless, he did not question a thing. The Captain had requested that he work on scheduling meetings with the Senior Staff and so Trusk gave a small affirmative grunt. "As you instruct, Sir. I will keep your schedule updated as I cross check duty rotations and availability."

"I know you will," Norsgaard said, "and Trusk? I think it would be good if you started attending Senior Staff meetings. I expect my yeoman to help me keep on top of the details."

"I understand, Captain. I will attend them and keep you above water" quipped Trusk. "I will ensure to pay close attention to the fine details for you, stay on top of them and you."

"It would seem Lieutenant Baas has me at a bit of a disadvantage, Captain" commented Knox. "Is there anything in particular that you require of me? I know Captain Gray has undoubtedly filled you in on various factors. With the command changing over, do you wish for me to continue as Acting First Officer?"

"I have read the everything filed on the ship's missions, especially that debacle on Quasinon III, and I've spoken to Captain Gray at length about this," Norsgaard said. "For the time being, you will function as the ship's Acting First Officer. However," his Viking ancestry rising within his blue-gray gaze. "You'll continue your remedial training long distance. If you show me that you've learned from your ... mistakes ... then we can consider making the appointment permanent."

Daegan had watched and listened and glanced to Trusk before looking back their Thunderbird's new Captain. "Sir, if there is nothing else I would like to say good bye to Captain Gray and see if there is anything I can help him with."

"You're dismissed, Lieutenant," Norsgaard said with a slight nod before returning his attention to Commander Knox.

Returning the nod Daegan turned and left the Ready Room.

"How may assist you in getting better acquainted with the starship and crew, Captain? Do you need anything else from me?"

"As I said, Trusk is going to set up appointments with the department heads over the next few days," Norsgaard said. "I'd like to speak with them individually. Get their thoughts. Other than that, do you have any suggestions?"

Knox gave a quick response. "Yes," he prefaced. "I would recommend reviewing the department heads and establishing a clearer chain of command. Things were shuffled around when I was demoted to Second Officer and sent away for additional training. I got pulled back in during the situation. First Officer was deceased, Captain Gray wasn't doing so well. Obviously, I assumed command as the Second Officer but I was left with several lieutenants and no clear chain of command. I relieved Malbrooke when I came back aboard, but Baas took some choice liberties..."

He was not trying to speak ill of his shipmates. "It was just a chaotic situation. If we were to end up in a similar situation again, I would want to ensure some order."

"And how would you propose doing that," Norsgaard said as he leaned against the edge of the desk, his expression turning curious. "Had you addressed the issue with Lieutenant Baas?"

"I would propose us discussing the merits of each Department head and their effectiveness if placed in a command crisis situation, and proceed from there with a determined chain of command. We've been a little busy with recovering from the medical crisis and mission reports. I had not yet addressed the concerns as my future aboard the Thunderbird seemed to be in limbo until now. At least, for the time being, I will be here under your command."

"We should talk more then," Norsgaard said. "Your input added to the meetings I plan to hold with all of them will help me make those decisions along with appointments of a Second Officer. Maybe dinner this evening? For now though, I'd like to meet with the Senior Staff in the Conference Room. We've got work to do and I want to brief them."

"Yes, Captain. I agree with you, Sir. There's a lot ahead of us, and you getting to know the senior staff is crucial. Captain Gray and I haven't worked with them long, but with change will come stability that they need."

Meanwhile...

[Deck 2 - Captain's Quarters]

Pressing the chime Daegan waited.

"Enter," Rylan said quietly. He had been taking a last look around his quarters now, emptied and ready for its new occupant; Operations, in deference to the situation, was waiting to begin delivering Captain Norsgaard's personal items until after he left. A nice touch, he thought, from a crew that had never really warmed to him.

Walking in as the doors slid to the side, "Captain I...". Seeing the quarters had already been cleared, "Well I was going to see if there was anything I could do to help but looks like someone else has beaten me to it."

"Well," Rylan said quietly, "Compressed timeline, I suppose. Operations has to get my ... his ... quarters ready as quickly as possible. An hour ago, its was practically a whirlwind in here."

"I can imagine." Stepping in further, "I also wanted to say...It's been an honor. And I hope your recover is swift."

"Thank you," Rylan said. "I think you're the first to say that. Walk with me." He moved toward the door, without a last look behind, his steps heavy, the weakness of his body intermixed with his failures here. "Captain Norsgaard is a capable commanding officer." He flashed a quick smile at his former Chief of Security. "I confess that I looked up his record. I think the ship will be in safe hands."

Having served with Norsgaard before he knew that to be true but his former Captain was down and he got the feeling it was just due to his recovery. "The Thunderbird was in good hands...it was just bad luck that that virus affected you the way it did. I have no doubt that once you are back on your feet you'll be back in the center seat."

Rylan shrugged lightly. "Time will tell," he said. "Nothing's off the table at this point. Several ideas have been floated but my final decision will wait until I've made a full recovery." He left his quarters behind and headed toward the nearest turbolift. Leaving was never easy and he'd rather it just be over than prolonged any further. As he stepped up onto the transporter pad, he turned a sly smile in Daegan's direction. "By the way, Starfleet Intelligence has been putting out feelers on Lieutenant Raihan." His smile was impish, possessed of knowledge. "She's resistant." He nodded toward the transporter technician. "Energize."

Daegan was surprised about his statement. Was he referring to their relationship? It wasn't that they were keeping it a secret put they hadn't gone public with it either. And what did he mean about 'feelers' and her being 'resistant'? As the transport cycle began, "Good bye Captain."

Turning he smirked, he needed to go find Jules and see what the Captain had been referring to. As he left the transporter room, "Computer, locate Lieutenant Raihan."

---

Captain Erik Norsgaard
Commanding Officer
USS Thunderbird

Captain Rylan Gray
(Formerly) Commanding Officer
USS Thunderbird
(Currently) Unassigned

Lieutenant Commander Harrison Knox
Acting Executive Officer

Lieutenant Daegan Baas
Chief of Security

 

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